I feel with some passion that what we truly are is private, and almost infinitely complex, and ambiguous, and both external and internal, and double- or triple- or multiply natured, and largely mysterious even to ourselves; and furthermore that what we are is only part of us, because identity, unlike "identity", must include what we do. And I think that to find oneself and every aspect of this complexity reduced in the public mind to one property that apparently subsumes all the rest ("gay", "black", "Muslim", whatever) is to be the victim of a piece of extraordinary intellectual vulgarity. Philip Pullman
About This Quote

If there is one thing that has always fascinated me about the human psyche, it is our ability to be both completely private and at the same time, completely public. If you ask most people what they are, they will tell you their name, date of birth, an occupation, and so on. However, if you ask them to comment on their personality or explain why they act in certain ways, most will be stumped. Identity is not something that can be reduced to a single word.

That is why I feel strongly that identity should not be defined by sexuality or religion nor should it be defined by race or ethnicity. For instance, I could be described as white, Jewish, gay, Asian-American or any other identity category. Identity should be defined by the person himself and only the person himself should be able to define who he is.

Some Similar Quotes
  1. When someone loves you, the way they talk about you is different. You feel safe and comfortable. - Jess C. Scott

  2. The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends. - Friedrich Nietzsche

  3. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection - Sharon Salzberg

  4. In youth, it was a way I had, To do my best to please. And change, with every passing lad To suit his theories. But now I know the things I know And do the things I do, And if you do not like me... - Dorothy Parker

  5. You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and... - Sharon Salzberg

More Quotes By Philip Pullman
  1. I'll be looking for you, Will, every moment, every single moment. And when we do find each other again, we'll cling together so tight that nothing and no one'll ever tear us apart. Every atom of me and every atom of you.. We'll live in...

  2. I told him I was going to betray you, and betray Lyra, and he believed me because I was corrupt and full of wickedness; he looked so deep I felt sure he'd see the truth. But I lied too well. I was lying with every...

  3. You cannot change what you are, only what you do.

  4. If you want something you can have it, but only if you want everything that goes with it, including all the hard work and the despair, and only if you're willing to risk failure.

  5. That’s the duty of the old, to be anxious on behalf of the young. And the duty of the young is to scorn the anxiety of the old.

Related Topics